Lawmakers mull school-evaluation reforms

AUSTIN — Major changes could be in store for the state’s public schools.

The leader of the Texas Senate and the chairman of the chamber’s Education Committee said Wednesday they will work on major reforms such as creating more charter schools, grading campuses with letters A through F, and a tax credit program that would allow students in public schools to study in private institutions.

“This session, in addition to protecting our children, the Senate is going to work on comprehensive education reform,” Lt. David Dewhurst, the presiding officer of the Senate, said at a news conference. “We want to make sure the schools stay strong and viable.”

Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, who joined Dewhurst at the conference, said he plans on proposing changes to the accountability system and expansion of charter schools when the Legislature is back in session Jan. 8.

For the school districts, the changes would include giving them the choice to set their calendar year, said Patrick, whom Dewhurst recently appointed chairman of the Senate Education Committee.

“At the end of the day, with a $50-million program or a $100-million program in a $91-billion budget, it is life-changing money for those families, Patrick added. “Let’s not lose sight of the goal of the mission: That is to make sure that students in poverty in low-performing schools have the same right as any other Texas family.”

Some education advocates lauded Dehwurst’s and Patrick’s proposals.

“TCSA welcomes the call by Lt. Governor Dewhurst and Sen. Patrick for more charter schools in Texas and their commitment to lift the arbitrary cap on charter schools,” said David Dunn, executive director of the Texas Charter Schools Association. “They recognize the strong impact that quality public charter schools have on students and public education across the state, and TCSA looks forward to working with them to accomplish these goals.”

However, how far Patrick goes with his reforms remains to be seen.

Even before he and Dewhurst held their press conference at a Catholic school in Austin, about two dozen protesters stood outside the building with signs saying no to vouchers.

In addition, powerful groups such as the Texas chapter of American Federation of Teachers blasted his tax credit proposal, calling it a voucher.

“Let’s be clear about the tax-credit voucher mechanism proposed by Sen. Dan Patrick today,” group president Linda Bridges said in a statement.

“Even though many specifics are still lacking, every dollar credited to a taxpayer for contributions to private school scholarship program is a dollar diverted from the stream of tax revenue that our public schools depend upon to deliver educational services for five million Texas students,” Bridges added. “This is a state-funded subsidy for private school at the expense of public schools — a voucher by another name.”

Most important, many legislators are not in favor of such proposal or have some serious reservations about it.

Texas House Speaker Joe Straus has already cast a doubt about the proposal’s chances of passing in next year’s session.

“I want to avoid a scene on the (House) floor over a voucher bill that is not broadly supported,” Straus told the Dallas Morning News.

Rep. Four Price, who was in Austin for a committee hearing, said though he has yet to hear what Patrick will propose, he is glad public education is getting the attention it deserves.

“The fact that we are hearing a lot of attention paid to public education is encouraging,” Price, R-Amarillo, said. “It’s our obligation that the students are properly educated and the system is as efficient and exemplary as it can be.”

So, “I am glad that the discussion starts early and that education is a priority,” Price added. “There a lot of issues other than dollars and sense.”